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START OF REEL JOB NO. 2... ee ( operator LKES Misa A ae THIS MICROFILM IS THE PROPERTY OF THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT MICROFILMED BY NPPSO—NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON MICROFILM SECTION BREEN (65-8) NWI Rem Fue No Nareqar Qs Geer |e TRUSSSIRED Feotew sa Sun Aka — We QS, Coeur, Nimrenne Rcawes Navona Une Sisto. Office of Naval Records and History Ships* Histories Section Navy Department, HISTORY OF USS BLACKFISH (83 221) ‘The USS BLACKFISH, a submarine of the GATO-class of 1941-1943, was built by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut and’ was jaunched April 18,°1942, Mre. Honry de F. Nel, vifo of Captain Honry do F. Mel, 80, USK, was the submarine's official sponsor. ‘The BLACKFISH was placed in commission on July 22, 1942, with Commander R. W. Johnson, USN, as the ship's first’ comanding officer, After @ three-month period of training and fitting out, the sub- marine proceeded to European waters and made her first patrol off Taker, French West Africa. Meny planes vere sightcd and the U, 3. transport MOUNT VERNON, with her escort, vas encountered. On Hoveriter 9, 1942, tho BIACKFISH attacked tvo Italian freighters escorted by tho antisubmarine vessels. A torpedo hit was obtazned on one of the freighters and it was believed sunl:. The escorts then attacked the. submerged BIACKPISH with devia charges but the submarine successfully Toe one ihe attack. he lok of eneny shipping encountered vas dia appointing to the crew but the patrol gave invaluable experience. After @ period of inactivity at Rosencath, Scotland, the sub made her second war patrol in Atlantic waters, Mo shipping which could be considered a5 @ legitinate target ves encountered although planes appeared =~ as did neutral ships ana fishing craft. ‘The BLACKFISH returned to Rosenesth, then mado her third wax patrol off Bilbao, Spain, spending it largely off Bilbao Harbor, Afton sighting severe] ships flying neutral flags, the submarine attacked tvo small antisubnarino vousels flying the German eneign on. February 19th. wo torpedces were fired at each vith a hit obteinec on ono. It vas presumed sunk. The BLACKWISH vac in turn attacked with depth charges with resultant damagp to her conning tower and other impairments of a more minor nature. She escaped, hovever, and was repaired at the Royal Navy Dockyard, Devonshire, England, and later underwent other repairs alongside a tender, ‘The $$ 221's fourth patrol began April 5, 1943, and vas performed im northern Atlantic waters, off Norway and feeland. Diving aiffi- oulties and equipment troubles were encountered due to collecting ico, a8 the run vas mosuly made on tho surface due to the continuous northern daylight. No shipping and few planes Were encountered. ‘Tho BIACKFISH's fifth patrol vas carried oat once more in Atlantic waters; and again the submarine located no favorable targets, For hor part in the Pacific war, the submarine prepared for at ‘at Mew London, Connecticut; trained’ off the Canal Zone; then pro- coeded to Brisbane, Australia; after which she entered the Solomons- Now Cuinea-Bismarck Archipelago area, She left on patrol October 19, 1943, and on tho sane day sighted two unloaded cargo ships which she hed'to let pess rather than reveal Une submarine scouting 1ines

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